Object numberM1992/031:029
DescriptionLetter to Greta Albera (née Pollak) from her parents Isidor and Erna Pollak in Vienna, dated 26 February 1940. Gretas mother Erna writes how Gretas letters will be read 100 times and will be the only pleasure in our conversation. She also reminds Greta of her Great-Grandmothers recent passing, suggesting that a letter has been lost with the news. Isidor writes that in good conscience, that I can release you to anyone who is deserving of you as I think I have brought you up well; you are a capable, clever girl
Greta Mirjam Albera (née Pollak), was born in Linz, Austria on 9 September 1920. She was the only child of Erna Pollak, born on 15 March 1895, and Isidor Pollak, born on 18 December 1879. Greta successfully emigrated to the United Kingdom in January 1939 where she worked as a governess, a home helper, and later as a nurse until the war ended. During her time in England, she was able to communicate with her parents who remained in Vienna. This contact was made possible through family friends living in Switzerland, who would pass on the messages and later through the Red Cross letter system. Gretas parents Isidor and Erna were transported to the Theresienstadt Ghetto in Terezin, Czechoslovakia on 9 October 1942. Both were murdered there, Erna on 9 May 1944 and Isidor on 16 May 1944. While living in England, Greta married Bedrich Albera, before emigrating to Israel, and later settling in Australian in 1954. She was the only member of her family to survive.
This letter is part of a collection of personal correspondence donated by Greta Mirjam Albera (née Pollak). The correspondence was sent during 1939 - 1942, between Greta and various members of her family.
Greta Mirjam Albera (née Pollak), was born in Linz, Austria on 9 September 1920. She was the only child of Erna Pollak, born on 15 March 1895, and Isidor Pollak, born on 18 December 1879. Greta successfully emigrated to the United Kingdom in January 1939 where she worked as a governess, a home helper, and later as a nurse until the war ended. During her time in England, she was able to communicate with her parents who remained in Vienna. This contact was made possible through family friends living in Switzerland, who would pass on the messages and later through the Red Cross letter system. Gretas parents Isidor and Erna were transported to the Theresienstadt Ghetto in Terezin, Czechoslovakia on 9 October 1942. Both were murdered there, Erna on 9 May 1944 and Isidor on 16 May 1944. While living in England, Greta married Bedrich Albera, before emigrating to Israel, and later settling in Australian in 1954. She was the only member of her family to survive.
This letter is part of a collection of personal correspondence donated by Greta Mirjam Albera (née Pollak). The correspondence was sent during 1939 - 1942, between Greta and various members of her family.
Subjectsigns of life, keeping in touch
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 205.00 mm
height: 295.00 mm
Language
- German Page 1
From: Mother, 26/02/…..?
My Dearest Child,
We gathered from your last letter (without date), as well as from Gertie’s letter that he was ……? and we are happy. It happens to be the anniversary that the two of you would have met for the last time and it is really an act of faith that after one year you would have found each other, especially as the two of you travelled away into different directions. I can really appreciate your pleasure. If you would only get used to answering on the spot our letters so that we know which of our letters you received, as a result so many questions are not answered and drop away. We don’t know whether you found out about the death of dear old Gusti as I advised you about the date of her death on the 11/01 and her burial on the 15/01. You never mentioned it in your letter and didn’t send condolences to Gisela. I can’t accept that you overlooked it, and I have to think that somehow letters got astray. We are delighted that you are happy and contented and only wish that it will stay like that. At last you settle down peacefully. As you describe your diet it may be difficult to lose the 14 kg demanded by Mrs. Eva but the main thing you keep it up and feel and look well. When does school start? We haven’t been able to find out anything since you have moved.
Has uncle Max given you the money for moving house or aunt Jenny? Did she express regrets about your intervention regarding her niece? I am very interested for good reasons. Do you get pocket money and how are you going financially? If you can keep saving so that in an emergency you can keep going. How is your blue silk dress now? Does it fit? We got to know from Terry that you had to alter it. Was there enough in half of the spare material? What about your footwear? Did the blue ones fit? I’ve never been able to find out. We are also very happy that Mrs. Eva is pleased with you; she is such a remarkable, capable lady whose leading role you can embrace in every way. As for all the plans for the future we shall have to wait and see how things work out. I can accept any son-in-law who is really in love with you and who knows how to appreciate and can offer you a contented life. I know, in good conscience, that I can release you to anyone who is deserving of you as I think I have brought you up well; you are a capable, clever girl, if your present studies and different movements may not be attractive, they will be useful and may they be a useful and formative experience. But all this is a play on the future, we still have enough time, correct? In 5 days, on Sunday, Gisela is on her way. Can you imagine my mood? If only happy tidings would reunite us again.
Page 2
From: Mother, Father, undated
To: My Dearest Child
Meine short few lines from the 4th (Croatian), so we are about to see what you can do, we also received, although after much delay, as a result of your many address changes. Just repeat it again as required. We are always so pleased with any news from you, keep on writing often and in detail, as a letter from you will be read 100 times and is our only pleasure and topic of conversation. We too are writing to you in great detail, and so we are surprised that you are writing at length about us (?) without news content. Just think, Aunt Fritzi’s Lieselotte, recently, has had an awful ski accident. At first they thought it would be hopeless. After many X-rays it became apparent that she had a concussion of the spine and compression of a ligament. The poor child was in such great pain that she couldn’t move a finger. She has got her neck in Plaster of Paris and whilst this is good, it’s then her turn of her back, so you got to be patient. Such a wonderful sport, but you can lose your head! Now we are happy that the long miserable winter is finally mellowing down. So many snow drifts, for us non-sportsmen, got a bit boring, and we were frozen through and through. In the meantime Papa kept on sleeping in the bedroom without heating at 3 degrees. I have escaped into your former little room and waiting for improvement in temperature to get back to my own bed. How is it going with your frost bites? Getting better? Write soon again my dearest child, with hugs and kisses, Your Mother.
N.B. Please make enquiries after a Rudolfine Karpfen, who is supposed to be working at the same Institute as yourself. They used to call her Gutki! She is already there two years and after many exams could be assisting you with advice and actual help. She lives in the same place as you with her brother and mother. Maybe, as a result, you may have some youthful condemnation. She is the sister of the daughter-in-law of Jenny Gruener, the oldest daughter of aunt Lotti. You are in the picture now, and can introduce yourself with regards from them. Do write whether you have found them, or would have to write to you details of her address. Many regards to Mrs. Eva and Gertie.
My Dearest Child,
Yesterday I got around a bit with Eva’s sister-in-law and am helping her as far as possible. But unfortunately it is not easy. I am terribly sorry for her. A very sensitive person, who apparently has always been used to donate and now cannot accept emotionally, to receive charity. Please write whether you have definitely been accepted at school, since in your short letter you stated that you were hoping to be accepted. Today I found out that Mrs. Kretz got a good position and is able to support her husband. It seems that Gerta too is doing alright. Edith has been a bit premature, she could have indeed saved us a lot of sorrow and doing without, if she hadn’t been so impatient and moved house with her parents. Please convey to Mrs. Eva our heartfelt regards. You too be for ever embraced and with kisses from your eternally loving Father.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mrs Greta Albera